A COUPLE have spoken of their heartbreak after a family holiday to Egypt ended in the death of their four-year-old daughter.

Tommy and Kelly Maddison, of Bishop Auckland, also want to warn other families planning foreign breaks to fully research local healthcare facilities before booking a trip.

They had hoped a festive break in Hurghada with their nine children would be the perfect fortnight away.

But six days into the holiday, on December 21, second youngest Indianna Rosa had an accident in a swimming pool.

The four-year-old was paddling on the top steps of a pool when she went in too deep.

Mr Maddison said: “We were all there. She waved at me from the steps and I think she got too confident or slipped, bless her.

“It happened so quickly, I heard screams and someone was pulling her from the pool.”

Alistair Lee, from Leeds, whose family had become friends with the Maddisons, jumped in to rescue her before doing CPR at the poolside.

Mr Maddison, 44, said: “Without him we mightn’t have had her the next five days.”

An ambulance came and Mr Lee continued CPR onboard where Indianna started breathing again.

The couple believe his actions saved Indianna but the next few rollercoaster days left them questioning why she lost her life.

The couple described the ambulance as an ill-equipped van and compared the hospital facilities to that of a third world country.

When Indianna was admitted to A&E her condition was stable but her parents understood the next 24 hours were important.

Mrs Maddison said: “She was breathing on her own, we thought we’d got her back.”

“I saw her smile at me. We were so sure she was going to be okay the kids saved her a seat at the hotel gala night,” added Mr Maddison.

Between December 21 and 24 the couple feel they were given mixed messages about Indianna’s condition and whether she should return to the UK for treatment.

Late on Christmas Eve insurers deployed an air ambulance and the Egyptian hospital issued a fit-to-fly certificate.

Mrs Maddison and Indianna went by ambulance to the airport. The rest of the family would follow on Christmas Day.

Mrs Maddison said the air ambulance team feared the youngster had brain damage so did not want to fly her home but the hospital disagreed.

“Eventually I had to sign a form and say I was responsible,” said the 38-year-old.

They arrived at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on Christmas morning.

Mrs Maddison said: “The treatment was worlds apart from what we’d had. Doctors sat me down and told me she was seriously brain damaged. I, even they, got a shock how poorly she was.”

Indianna suffered a cardiac arrest and RVI staff kept her alive until Mr Maddison got home.

The couple, supported by relatives, kept vigil by Indianna’s bed through Christmas night but by Boxing Day afternoon, with no hope of recovery, they let her go.

Mr Maddison said: “We decided she’d had enough, I told her a story and she died in my arms.

“We’re in a world of pain.”

The family had Indianna christened in hospital and laid her to rest with sister Bobbie-Jo, who died of cot death 18 years ago.

They have worked with Rev Matt Keddilty, of St Andrew’s Church, to find an appropriate headstone for the girls and thanked the community for its ongoing support which includes fundraising for various memorials.

Mrs Maddison said: “She was a shy girl, we were always overprotective.

“She’d been a fighter all her life after being born prematurely and had operations for a bowel blockage as a baby then, at two, to remove a thumb as she was born with two on one hand.

“She was a bit of a tomboy, we’d made her wear a bow and dress for a family photo the night before it happened. We treasure that picture now.”

An inquest into the death is expected to be held in Newcastle.

Mr Maddison said: “We’ll find out if the Egyptians did everything in their power, but when you go on holiday you cannot expect the care you get at home.

“People, especially with children, need to check out the hospitals and make sure they have insurance before going abroad.”